Traffic guide



March 9, 1943. TALTY 2,313,600

TRAFFIC GUIDE Filed-0d. 28, 1941 2 Sheet s-Sheet l Inventor Frank 4 TaZZy B it - A Nor/141 y MarchQ, 194s.- F, A, Tm, 2,3133% TRAFFIC GUIDE File d Oct. 28, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Attorney Patented Mar. 9, 1943 UNITED STATES FATENT GFFICE TRAFFIC GUIDE Frank A. Talty, Topeka, Kans.

Application October 28, 1941, Serial No. 416,893

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in traffic guides for highways and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, novel means for preventing one vehicle from overtaking and passing another at dangerous places where it is impossible to see sufficiently far ahead such, for example, as when approaching or passing over the brow of a hill, curves, et cetera.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a trafiic guide of the aforementioned character which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efiicient and reliable in use, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through a length of highway equipped with a traffic guide constructed in accordance with the present invention, said guide being shown in side elevation.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of one of the units.

Figure 4 is a view in side elevation of one of the units or sections.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, showing the connection between the units or sections.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a detail view in perspective of one of the guard plates.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a center marker in the form of a trough which is designated generally by the reference numeral I. The trough I extends for any suitable distance at places that may be considered dangerous in a highway 2.

The trough l comprises a series of channel sections 3, of suitable metal. The channel sections 3 may be anchored to the highway 2 in any desired manner.

As illustrated to advantage in Figure 5 of the drawings, each channel section 3 includes an end portion 4 of reduced width which is engageable in one end portion of an adjacent channel section. Thus, the channel sections 3 are connected to each other.

Fixed as by welding at longitudinally spaced points in the channel sections 3 are inverted, substantially V-shaped guard plates 5 of suitable metal. Reflector buttons 6 are fixed on the guard plates 5.

It is thought that the manner in which the invention functions will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the tires or wheels of a vehicle may engage and move along the side walls 1 of the channel sections 3 without sustaining damage. However, should the vehicle, in attempting to pass another vehicle, or for any other reason, cross the trough i the comparatively sharp points 8 of the substantially V-shaped guard plates 5 will engage and puncture the tires of said vehicle. Being aware of this danger, the operator of the vehicle will refrain from crossing the trough I and will thus be prevented from overtaking and passing a preceding vehicle. buttons 0 render the device plainly visible at night. The lower ends of the substantially V- shaped guard plates 5 define water passages 9 in the trough I. It will be noted that the reflector buttons 6 are mounted on opposite sides of the guard plates 5 for reflecting the headlights of vehicles traveling in opposite directions on the highway. If desired, the buttons 6 may be provided on both sides of the guard plates 5.

It is believed that the many advantages of a traflic guide constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A trafiic guide of the character described comprising a substantially channel-shaped member adapted to be mounted longitudinally on a highway, and a plurality of guard plates mounted transversely in said channel member at longitudinally spaced points, said plates in cluding substantially triangular upper portions projecting above the channel member.

2. A traiilc guide of the character described comprising a channel member for mounting longitudinally on a highway, and a plurality of inverted substantially V-shaped guard plates mounted transversely in said channel member at spaced points and projecting thereabove.

3. A trafiic guide of the character described The reflector comprising a metallic channel member for mounting longitudinally on a highway, a plurality of inverted substantially V-shaped guard plates fixed transversely in said channel memher at longitudinally spaced points, said guard plates projecting above the channel member, and reflector buttons mounted on the upper portions of the guard plates.

4. A trailic guide of the character described comprising a trough for installation longitudinally on a highway, said trough including a series of longitudinally alined, communicating channel members, each channel member including a reduced end portion engageable in an adjacent channel member for connecting the channel members, a plurality of inverted, substantially V-shaped guard plates fixed transversely in the channel members at longitudinally spaced points and projecting upwardly therefrom, and. reflector buttons mounted on the upper portions of said 10 guard plates. 

